Want to incorporate more native plants into your landscape? There are good reasons to go native: Native plants, with their deep root systems, require minimal watering and provide habitat for birds, bees and other creatures. To offer ideas and inspiration, Wild Ones is sponsoring a self-guided tour of seven suburban yards that highlight native plants used in a variety of ways, including woodlands, prairies, boulevard gardens, rain gardens and lakeshore restorations. The gardens are located in Wayzata, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie and Chaska.

Tour hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 27. The cost for all seven gardens is $7. Tickets will be available the day of the event at 8956 Braxton Dr., Eden Prairie. For a map and garden descriptions, visit www.prairieedge.wildones.org.

Water gardens on tour

See what’s burbling in Twin Cities back yards. Ponds, waterfalls, streams and other water features will be on display July 26-27 when the Minnesota Water Garden Society presents its annual tour. This year’s event features 13 sites throughout the metro area. All 13 water gardens will be open for touring from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the tour. For tickets, garden descriptions, directions and detailed maps, visit www.mwgs.org.